Since being awarded a Lancashire contract this year, the 21-year-old has recently made first-team debuts in the totesport League and the Frizzell County Championship.

It offers hope that the promising young cricketer, who captains Sefton Park in the Liverpool Competition, will be chosen for the four-day County Championship game against Northants which starts on Saturday at Liverpool's Aigburth ground.

Horton has been given his chance through injury to Ian Sutcliffe.

He made 22 in this week's drawn match with Warwickshire, but made a top score of 42 in the totesport League match against the same county.

While he is delighted to be given a chance, he realises there is still plenty of work ahead.

"My priorities have gone from hoping to be in the first team to being wanted to be picked and wanting to play.

"Things have gone well. I have got over the part where I said 'There is Carl Hooper, the former West Indies captain'.

"Now, it's more Carl, my team-mate. "The lads have helped me every step of the way and encouraged me to learn and take tips on how they practice and approach the game. Coach Mike Watkinson has told me to go out and express myself."

Horton, born in Australia of Liverpool parents, admitted to being nervous before his debut in the 45-over game.

"I got a late call from Edgbaston, but I did well and got 42. Once I was batting it was just another game, but I enjoyed it."

His appearance in the C&G Trophy game against Yorkshire was another first, as it was televised, but he missed out on a bat when Dominic Cork was promoted up the order.

"Warren Hegg has said to me: 'You are in the side, make it hard for me to get you out,' so I have tried to make it hard for them."

He will have an anxious wait this week before knowing whether he is chosen for the Liverpool match - Lancashire play a day/night game against Northants at Old Trafford on Friday.

He said: "People have mentioned it would be great to play at Liverpool. I would have a lot of home support.

"Every youngster has aspirations to play professionally but it was not until the end of my first scholarship contract I thought I had a chance.

"Sefton have helped me gain confidence and I have matured and am captaining the side. I am scoring a lot of runs for the club and that has helped my game. It's spiralled and that's the way things happen."

Horton went on: "I played under-17 and under-19 for Lancashire with Sajid (Mahmood) and James (Anderson) and they're now playing for England.

"There's no reason why I you can't do it, but you have to take it a step at a time. I might not even be in the squad for Saturday."

Lancashire have suffered a lean patch recently, with the C&G loss against Yorkshire a big blow.

But Horton added: "For me, it's about cementing a place and doing well, and then let's win some trophies, like the Championship, and bring the glory back to Lancashire.